We’re rolling out daily district previews for all 78 varsity football teams in the area. Today we look at a competitive Pasco/Hernando County district. Overview The district had a fierce three-team battle last season, and don’t be surprised if it heads in that direction again as defending champion Springstead, runnerup ...Read more

Area teams came up big in the weekend Sling N Shoot 7-on-7 tournament at USF, with three teams — Armwood, East Lake and Alonso — making the semifinals. Armwood eventually prevailed, beating East Lake 20-13 in the championship Sunday. Here are the players who caught our eye Sunday: Top 10 ...Read more

Our third annual countdown of the top 100 football players in Tampa Bay. Past performances — spanning the fall, spring and summer — and promise of big things to come are all taken into consideration. Today: players 61 through 70. Previous installments: 91-100 81-90 71-80Read more

Land O’Lakes QB James Pensyl has orally committed to Oregon State, Gators coach Brian Wachtel said Thursday evening. Pensyl, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound lefty, was also recruited by USF, among others. Pensyl was one of Tampa Bay’s top passers as a junior last fall. He threw for almost 2,500 yards and ...Read more

photo gallery At Dade City Pasco 17, Land O’Lakes 7 Spring game-breakers: Playing in his first football game since his freshman year, Pasco defensive end Sherwin Emmanuel was disruptive. The 6-foot-6 senior-to-be forced a fumble and tipped passes all night. …Pirates quarterback Grant Starling only played one week of spring ...Read more

LAND O' LAKES — There won't many quarterbacks taller than James Pensyl taking snaps for a Florida high school team. But Pensyl's growth to 6-foot-7 isn't the dimension that Land O'Lakes coach Brian Wachtel is most excited for. "He's finally filled out," Wachtel said. "There's no more room for ...Read more

Land O’Lakes S Cedrick Lowe has orally committed to play football at Huntingdon (Ala.) College, Gators coach Brian Wachtel said Monday via text message. Lowe, a 5-foot-6, 180-pound senior, was one of the Gators’ top players last fall. He ended the season with 63 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. ...Read more

Fivay senior Cole Manion signed to wrestle at Campbellsville University last week. Manion (120) was a first-team all-North Suncoast wrestler. He finished the year 47-12 and placed fifth in the Class 2A state meet. Manion was the Sunshine Athletic Conference champion in his weight class and also won a district ...Read more

LAND O’LAKES – Just before they signed their letters of intent, Darius Wells reached over and helped Shaheed Salmon open his school-issued pen case. “You’re going to play football, but you can’t work your pen?” someone from the crowd ribbed, drawing laughs. Salmon, Wells, Deionte Strozier and Liam Heaney were ...Read more

Land O’Lakes defensive back Deionte Strozier has committed to Benedict College, he announced via Twitter. “I Deionté Strozier am proud to announce that I have committed to Benedict college !! Go Tigers #BC18,” he tweeted. Strozier had five interceptions for the Gators in 2013, and was a Tampa Bay Times’ ...Read more

Land O'Lakes linebacker Darius Wells verbally committed to Benedict College on Wednesday. "I am blessed to say that I've committed to Benedict College!! #GoTiger #BC18," he tweeted. Wells was a key component of a defense that forced two shutouts and kept the Gators' first three opponents to a combined 13 ...Read more

Land O'Lakes star defensive lineman Shaheed Salmon has committed to Central Arkansas. "I am blessed to say I've commited to the University of Central Arkansas!! #GoBears," he announced on Twitter Tuesday night. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound player raked in 83 solo tackles, 21.5 for a loss, for the Gators this past ...Read more

A few recent recruiting updates from Hillsborough and the North Suncoast: Miami became the latest in-state program to offer Jefferson ATH Deiondre Porter. As a quarterback, the USF commit accounted for a state-best 4,698 yards and 53 touchdowns to earn all-Suncoast offensive player of the year honors from the Tampa ...Read more